Lae Airfield is a former World War II

World War II

World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...

 airfield and later, civilian airport in Morobe Province, Papua New Guinea

Papua New Guinea

Papua New Guinea , officially the Independent State of Papua New Guinea, is a country in Oceania, occupying the eastern half of the island of New Guinea and numerous offshore islands...

. The airport was closed in the 1980s, in favor of Lae Nadzab Airport

Lae Nadzab Airport

Lae Nadzab Airport is a regional airport located in Lae, Papua New Guinea. It is served by regional aircraft with domestic flight.-Airlines and destinations:-History:...

, which was able to accommodate larger jet aircraft. The facility is now being redeveloped.

History

Built in the 1930s the airport was known as Lae Drome or Lae Aerodrome. The largest aircraft to use the airport prewar were Junkers G.31 Tri-Motor. that serviced the gold fields at Bulolo. The problem with Lae's east/west runway was that it ran directly into hills, limiting the size of aircraft able to land.

This airfield is probably most famous for its pre war distinction as being the place where Amelia Earhart

Amelia Earhart

Amelia Mary Earhart was a noted American aviation pioneer and author. Earhart was the first woman to receive the U.S. Distinguished Flying Cross, awarded for becoming the first aviatrix to fly solo across the Atlantic Ocean...

's Lockheed Model 10 Electra took off before disappearing on her around the world flight. It was the last stop she made before going missing, to this day her plane has never been found. There is a small Amelia Earhart plaque at the former airport.

Occupied by the Japanese in February 1942 and developed into a forward airbase. The airfield was heavily bombed by Allied forces until its liberation.

After the September 1943 liberation of the Lae area, the airfield was occupied by the Allies, they used the airfield for smaller aircraft, with the larger types flying to Nadzab Airfield, the main American base in the area.

Post war, the airfield continued to be used as a civilian airport until 1980s.

Allied Units based at Lae Airfield

• Headquarters, 309th Bombardment Wing (1 February – 3 March 1944) B-24 Liberator
  B-24 Liberator
  The Consolidated B-24 Liberator was an American heavy bomber, designed by Consolidated Aircraft of San Diego, California. It was known within the company as the Model 32, and a small number of early models were sold under the name LB-30, for Land Bomber...
  
  

See also

• USAAF in the Southwest Pacific
  United States Army Air Forces in the South West Pacific Theatre
  During World War II, the United States Army Air Forces engaged in combat against the air, ground and naval forces of the Empire of Japan in the South West Pacific Theatre....
  
  

External links

• Old Lae Airport